Villena mayor Fulgencio Cerdán, regional minister of agriculture Roger Llanes, and Asaja Alicante president Jose Vicente Andreu met with affected farmers to address the severe 90 percent crop loss in the cherry sector caused by persistent rainfall from the DANA phenomenon. The gathering took place in Villena at the mayor’s invitation, aiming to balance the latest rainfall damages against the region’s agricultural resilience and to explore viable support measures for cherry growers in the Alto Vinalopó area, one of the Valencian Community’s highest producing corridors alongside Alicante Mountain.
Villena cherries suffered cracks and spoilage as heavy downpours drenched the orchards. The delegation accompanied by the mayor toured a cherry farm hit by the rains to assess the on-site moisture impact on fruit quality and the implications for market readiness. The scene underscored a stark contrast: while some crops benefit from timely rain, cherries proved particularly vulnerable to excessive moisture, rendering harvests nonviable in many plots.
On the ground, the regional officials discussed potential response tools with farmers, including disaster declarations and rapid assistance schemes to stabilize revenue streams for growers facing catastrophic losses. The conversation also touched on insurance gaps, explaining why policy coverage may not fully cover the scale of damage observed this season. The aim was to map out relief channels that can be activated swiftly should similar weather events recur in the future.
Producers accompanied by the officials inspected another rain-impacted cherry operation to evaluate moisture dynamics and pulp integrity. Inspectors noted how sustained rainfall accelerates fruit cracking, undermining commercialization and threatening the viability of this year’s campaign across Alto Vinalopó, which spans hundreds of hectares and previously held strong expectations for high fruit quality and yield.
In the wake of the DANA-induced deluge, the region reported extensive agricultural disruption. Villena alone documented a dramatic 90 percent loss in its cherry harvest, with millions of kilograms of various cherry varieties now effectively unsalvageable. The setback marks a painful chapter after a season that began with favorable conditions, including fruit size and uniformity, before the weather turned abruptly adverse. The Alto Vinalopó cherry campaign, known for its premium quality, now faces a challenging recovery period as growers reassess planning, storage, and marketing strategies for future cycles.
Officials emphasized the urgency of coordinated action to support farmers through financial relief, rehabilitation of damaged orchards, and practical guidance on orchard management under unpredictable climatic patterns. The regional agriculture ministry remains committed to evaluating all available instruments to mitigate losses and to reinforcing the resilience of Alicante’s cherry sector in the face of recurring extreme rainfall events.
Farmers recalled the sequence of weather events that culminated in this year’s disaster, reflecting on prior cycles that included frost, drought, and other storms. In the broader context of Alicante’s cherry industry, stakeholders agreed that the current crisis compounds long-standing challenges and calls for comprehensive, predictable assistance to stabilize incomes and maintenance costs. Asaja Alicante underscored that the situation adds pressure to an already strained supply chain, highlighting the need for sustained policy attention and practical support to preserve livelihoods for cherry growers in the region.
Despite the heavy losses, the stakeholders conveyed a shared commitment to learning from the experience. The conversation acknowledged that insurance coverage, while helpful, does not fully offset the complexities of a season characterized by variable rainfall, timing, and fruit susceptibility. The meeting reinforced a collaborative approach among local government, agricultural organizations, and farm families to navigate the immediate aftermath and to fortify resilience for future campaigns.